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Child Care & Early Years Programs2024-12-20T11:53:36-05:00

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The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) manages the child care and early years system in the District of Thunder Bay. Our Child Care & Early Years Programs help families by managing the child care wait list and offering child care fee subsidies to offset the costs of child care. We also provide operational funding and resources to Child Care operators and EarlyON programs throughout our district.

TBDSSAB believes that the well-being of our communities depends on the care and support our children receive.

Learn more about TBDSSAB child care services by clicking on the links below.

TBDSSAB Procedures Related to Canada Post Strike –  Click Here for Updates

Child Care & Early Years FAQ

General Information

Ontario’s Early Childhood Educators

Every day, early childhood educators (ECEs) provide Ontario’s children with safe, responsive, and caring interactions that build a strong foundation for their development and well-being.

Children who participate in high-quality learning environments experience increased verbal communication, reading, math, and science skills, as well as a host of other benefits.

Uncover the facts about the many ways ECEs benefit children, their families, and the growth of our economy.  Click here to learn more.

Child Care Centres

To view a listing of all licensed child care centres in the District of Thunder Bay, visit the online Child Care Registry and Waitlist at www.thunderbaychildcare.ca

EarlyON Child and Family Centres are open to all families in Ontario. They’re welcoming places that offer a range of services and resources, where you can:

  • PLAY
  • engage in programs that support early learning and development
  • get support from educators
  • find out about other family services in your community

All EarlyON Programming is FREE.

To find your nearest EarlyON Program, please see the map below or click here for a listing of service providers and locations (PDF, rev: November 4, 2020).

The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) has entered into a new agreement with Our Kids Count to oversee licensed private home child care operations.

Effective August 31, 2022, Our Kids Count became a Licensed Private Home Child Care Agency for the District of Thunder Bay. As a Licensed Private Home Child Care Agency, Our Kids Count will receive operational funding from TBDSSAB to coordinate and oversee individual private home child care programs and services. Previously, licensed private home child care was coordinated by The City of Thunder Bay.

Read the full media release here.

Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day is coming up on October 24, 2024

CCW & ECE Appreciation Day is an opportunity to show appreciation for the heroes in early learning who work tirelessly to support children’s wellbeing and engagement every day.

To make it easier for families to recognize CCW & ECE Appreciation Day, TBDSSAB has posted free downloads on our website. For more information, please visit: https://www.tbdssab.ca/ccwad/ 

Resources for Families

How to apply for licensed child care or licensed private home child care?

  1. Go to the online Child Care Registry and Waitlist at www.thunderbaychildcare.ca
  2. If you are a new applicant, create a new account and choose a passphrase (password)
  3. Complete the parent and child details information screens.
  4. If applying for fee subsidy, select “Fee Assistance Required” option on application
  5. Based on the care requirements selected, the Registry will provide you with a list of child care programs offered in the area.
  6. Once you are finished your application, you will get a confirmation email telling you that your application is either complete or incomplete. If your application is incomplete, you will need to log back into the online application and give the missing information.
  7. A child care agency will contact you directly once a space is available.
  8. For technical support with your application, email Support@OneHSN.com or call 1-888-722-1540.

Download: TBDSSAB One List Tip Sheet (pdf)

Child Care Fee Subsidy

Child Care Fee Subsidy is a program that helps parents or legal guardians pay for child care costs at licensed child care programs or licensed home providers in the District of Thunder Bay. To qualify you must be working, going to school, receive Ontario Works (must be registered in an activity) or have a special or social need (parent or child). For a special needs or social needs a referral is required by a third party professional. Referral forms are available on our website. The subsidy is available for children between the ages of 0-12 years. Based on eligibility, parents could qualify for full costs or pay a portion of the daily cost of child care to the child care centre and The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board pays the balance of the daily cost, directly to the centre on their behalf.

Eligibility is based on the family’s income as outlined on their current Notice of Assessment (NOA).

Please click here for an example of a Notice of Assessment. (PDF)

If you have lost or misplaced your Notice of Assessment, please contact Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-8281 to obtain a copy

Documentation that maybe accepted:

  • Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice
  • Ontario Trillium Benefit Notice
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax) Credit Notice
  • Results from Child Care Calculator (see below)

Child Care Calculator

Child Care Calculator

The calculator is only an estimate. Your eligibility and the amount of your contribution are determined by a Child Care Worker with The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board during your booked appointment.

Please feel free to contact us for more information

EarlyON Child and Family Centres are open to all families in Ontario. They’re welcoming places that offer a range of services and resources, where you can:

  • PLAY
  • engage in programs that support early learning and development
  • get support from educators
  • find out about other family services in your community

All EarlyON Programming is FREE.

To find your nearest EarlyON Program, please see the map below or click here for a listing of service providers and locations (PDF, rev: November 4, 2020).

Special Needs Resources

The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board funds The Children’s Centre Thunder Bay to provide services to ensure that all children, regardless of need, can participate in a child care setting. Resource Consultants with the District of Thunder Bay support inclusion of children with special needs with the licensed child care setting. Please contact Children’s Centre Thunder Bay or your Child Care Program for further details.

Website : www.childrenscentre.ca

Phone: (807) 343-5000

Ontario Works Informal Child Care

Financial Assistance is available to Ontario Works recipients for child care that is not regulated or licensed by a government authority and may be provided on an informal basis arranged by the parent with the caregiver.

This funding is for services to children between 6 weeks and 12 years whose parents are participating in employment or employment related activities including educational programs.

Please contact your Ontario Works Caseworker for information about informal Child Care options.

Resources for Service Providers

The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board’s (TBDSSAB) Child Care and Early Years Portal is designed to facilitate communication with Child Care and EarlyON service providers who have a service agreement with the TBDSSAB.

To login, visit: https://childcare.tbdssab.ca/

Should you have any difficulties navigating the site please e-mail early.years@tbdssab.ca.

Helpful resources:

How to Become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)

Help a Child Grow and Discover

Early Childhood Education with the College of Early Childhood Educators (college of ece)

A child’s first years are extremely important for their development. This is the time when children learn the most, and when teachers can make the greatest difference in their lives. Are you someone who wants to make a difference?

Confederation College’s Early Childhood Education program is designed to give students a broad education in the theory of Early Childhood Education, child development, early childhood curriculum and pedagogy. You’ll get the skills and knowledge you need to plan educational programs and play environments to nurture each child’s development and learning, making a real difference in their lives. Courses cover a wide range of ECE topics including play and inquiry-based learning; effective interpersonal communication; child development; working with families; guidance; and health, safety and wellness.

For more information, visit: https://www.confederationcollege.ca/program/early-childhood-education

Pre-Early Childhood Education Certificate Program

This free 10-week program is delivered online and is intended to be a stepping-stone to introduce individuals to the field of early childhood education. With no prerequisites required, the program gives participants the basic skills and knowledge required to start working in an early years and childcare setting.
There was a total of 15 students who completed the Pre-ECE Certificate Program at Confederation College in 2022/2023.

Contact:  Carly Rich, Early Childhood Educator Program Coordinator, at 807-475-6289 or crich1@confederationcollege.ca 

Bursary Fund

To enhance access to opportunities for the workforce that promote recruitment and retention of Registered Early Childhood Educators in the District of Thunder Bay, Administration, in partnership with Confederation College, has established a 2023 bursary fund for all first and second-year domestic students in the 2023/2024 Early Childhood Education program (ECE).

As of July 2023, it is anticipated that 60 first-year domestic students and 42 second-year domestic students will be in receipt of these bursary funds to support them with their education.

Fast-Track Early Childhood Education Program

This one-year program is being offered at Confederation College in partnership with The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board to give working professionals who are interested in becoming qualified Early Childhood Educators, the ability to complete their diploma studies combining prior learning assessment opportunities, professional portfolio development, as well as critical course and placement experiences. Successful participants of the program will receive a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and be eligible to become Registered Early Childhood Educators with the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Those interested in learning more about this free program or who want to register may contact Nancy Ibey, Fast-Track Early Childhood Educator Program Coordinator, at nancy.ibey@confederationcollege.ca.

Child Care Forms

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